Record Reviews
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  | MILOSZ BAZARNIK ~ NEW MARKET KLAMKA MUSIC ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2022 Released: 2022
This is the second album by Polish Jazz pianist / composer Milosz BazarnikFind albums by this artist, this time recorded in a quintet setting with saxophonist Krzysztof MatejskiFind albums by this artist, guitarist Szymon KozikowskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Marek DufekFind albums by this artist and drummer Lukasz GiergielFind albums by this artist. Violinist Stanislaw SlowinskiFind albums by this artist guests on three tracks. The album presents eleven tracks, ten of which are original compositions by the leader and one is an arrangement of a BeatlesFind albums by this artist song. The music was recorded at the excellent Monochrom Studio and engineered by Ignacy GruszeckiFind albums by this artist, with the usual excellent sound quality and clarity.
The music is all based on beautiful melodic themes, full of lyricism and melancholy, as appropriate for classic Polish Jazz approach, but perhaps just a tad too “sweat” at times. Nevertheless, it offers a peaceful, relaxed listening experience, which a dreamy atmosphere, which is very enjoyable. The young musicians, who are (to me at least) anonymous so far, show great skills and vigor, as expected on the local scene, and nothing but praise can be said about their performances.
The presence of the electric guitar has the usual Fusiony effect, but to be fair it is almost marginal, and the music is not trying to copy the 1970s Fusion tendencies, except for the aural similarity, and therefore manages to avoid that trap. Personally the melodic content of this album is its major forte, as there is not even one weak melody on the entire album (well except for the cover perhaps – just kidding), so it is a composing portfolio first and foremost, which Bazarnik can be proud of.
Overall, this is a very pleasant, beautifully put together melodic Jazz album, which should keep many listeners perfectly happy. There is nothing groundbreaking or especially challenging herein, but the remarkable “simplicity” and straightforwardness turn out to be its strong suit. Time for some great heartfelt melodies in the midst of the mayhem that surrounds us all. Well done indeed!
| Updated: 13/01/2023Posted: 13/01/2023 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | ALEKSANDRA KUTRZEPA ~ MERMAID NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Avant-Garde Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2019 Released: 2019
This is the second album by Polish Jazz violinist / composer Aleksandra KutrzepaFind albums by this artist recorded by the same quartet as the one that recorded the debut "ImpressionsFind albums with this title" a year earlier: guitarist Bartlomiej GarczynskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Michal StudniarekFind albums by this artist and drummer Robert KutrzepaFind albums by this artist. Vocalist Anna GadtFind albums by this artist and pianist Milosz BazarnikFind albums by this artist appear as guests. The album presents seven original compositions, six by Aleksandra Kutrzepa and one by Robert Kutrzepa.
This album is stylistically very similar to its predecessor and everything I wrote about the debut applies also here, so I won´t repeat myself (just click on the link above). The music is a fine example of intelligent Fusion featuring beautiful lyrical compositions, unique violin style and elegant execution, which offers an excellent listening experience, accessible to a wide range of listeners who like anything between mainstream Jazz, Fusion and even Progressive Rock. Some excursions into more Free territory on the tracks with Gadt (sensational as always) and Bazarnik on board are hopefully pointers as to what Kutrzepa should pursue in the future and their presence upgrade this album considerably.
This album cements Kutrzepa´s status as a promising composer and original violinist, which definitely deserves being followed, but she will need to update her formula on future recordings in order to avoid a pattern, which will became stale if repeated to often.
Overall this is an excellent album by all means, which intelligent Fusion and violin aficionados will love to bits, and which also offers highly aesthetic and ambitious vistas pointing (perhaps) to the future endeavors. Warmly recommended!
| Updated: 14/12/2019Posted: 14/12/2019 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
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